Pirates Trade Adam LaRoche
The complete rebuilding of the Pirates continues, as the Pirates traded Adam LaRoche to Boston. LaRoche is in the final year of $7 million dollar contract so to get anything in return looks good on paper. He never came close to the expectations he brought to town. They received Argenis Diaz a 22 year old “AA” shortstop, and Hunter Strickland a 21 year pitcher currently in single “A”. Probably the best thing about the trade is Boston is picking up the final $3 million owned to Adam this season. With all the minor-leaguers the Pirates have acquired a few will have to break through, according to the law of averages. Of course the Pirates have a horrible track record at developing players so something have to give. Now the question who will be the next Bucco to be traded.
While anyone who follows the Pirates should welcome this move, there is a rumor that this was yet another salary dump. Allegedly, there was another team involved, one who offered a much better prospects package on condition the Pirates pay the rest of his ’09 salary. How can they preach they’re building for the future when they turn down more promising prospects for a measly couple million dollars? This smacks of Nuttingism all the way. And what’s with them replacing LaRoche with Steve Pierce…a proven load (they say they have to find out about him). Wouldn’t it make more sense to put Garrett Jones at 1st and find out about Moss and Young. You’ve gotta keep Jones in the lineup and play both Moss and Young everyday, or does Jones’ future salary have HIM on the trading block already? Way to go Bucs, just more historically stupid moves.